Iran: Historical Overview and the Iranian Revolution

Historical Background of Iran

• Iran's Significance

  • Became significant to the West in 1908 with the discovery of oil.
  • Marked the first time oil was discovered in the Greater Middle East (oil in Saudi Arabia discovered in 1938).
  • British Petroleum gained control over oil exploitation through a contract with the Iranian dynasty for the majority of profits.

• Religious Composition

  • Iran is predominantly Shia, a significant distinction from the majority Sunni Islamic world.
  • Islamic areas: Light green indicates Sunni dominance while dark green shows Shia.

The Pahlavi Dynasty

• Rise of Reza Shah

  • Reza Khan overthrew the previous dynasty in the 1920s establishing the Pahlavi dynasty.
  • Took the title of Shah (like Safavid leaders), focused on modernization and industrialization.
  • Modeled after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Turkey—emphasized secularism, westernization, and modernization.

• World War II Impact

  • In 1941, Iran faced occupation by the US, Britain, and the Soviet Union due to growing ties with Nazi Germany.
  • The Shah’s pro-German sympathies led to his replacement by Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was supported by the Allies.

Early 20th Century Political Landscape

• Post-War Influence

  • The transition from World War II to the Cold War resulted in tension over oil and Russian influence.
  • The Shah aligned with the West to ensure oil remained accessible to them and limited Soviet expansion.

• Mosaddeq’s Nationalization Movement

  • In the 1950s, Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq, in response to Iran’s poverty amidst oil wealth, sought to nationalize oil resources.
  • His patriotic move led him to being labeled a communist by the West, raising alarms during the Cold War.
  • Operation Ajax was conducted by the US and Britain to remove Mosaddeq, restoring the Shah to power.

The White Revolution

• Shah's Modernization Efforts

  • Launched the White Revolution, aiming for rapid industrialization and modernization akin to Ataturk.
  • Major changes included:
  • Granting women's rights, improving gender roles, allowing women to work and access education.
  • Western cultural influences—expansion of consumerism, clubs, and entertainment.

• Opposition to the Shah

  • Two opposing factions emerged:
  • The Reds: Marxists opposed to capitalist excess.
  • The Blacks: Conservative Islamic fundamentalists against westernization and gender equality.
  • An unlikely alliance formed between these groups against the Shah, seen as increasingly dictatorial.

Iranian Revolution

• Khomeini’s Rise

  • Ruhollah Khomeini emerged as a leader against the Shah’s regime, operating from exile while appealing to public dissatisfaction.
  • His ideology deemed the Shah's practices as fundamentally against Islamic morals.

• The 1979 Revolution

  • Resulted in the Shah fleeing Iran, marking a significant political and religious shift.
  • Khomeini returned as the Ayatollah, the leader of the new Islamic state, reversing many Shah-administrated reforms of the White Revolution.

Conclusion

• Impact on Global Islam
  • The Iranian Revolution prompted a global Islamic revival, influencing believers of various faiths to return to fundamental beliefs.